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With each manic news cycle out-frenzying the one that came before, Americans have been increasingly starved of both a sense of normality and access to a much-needed voice of reason, a dose of calm rationalism to cut through the endless absurdity.
Regardless of your religious belief system, you’ll be understandably wary of being told that both can be found in surplus in Hail Satan?, an eye-opening new documentary that aims to provide a surprising amount of clear-eyed sense to a topic that appears luridly sensationalist on paper.
From the 70s through to the 90s, the country was gripped by the so-called Satanic Panic, a widely reported phenomenon that crept up in everything from local news reports to Oprah, alleging that devil worshippers had constructed a vast underground network that had infected everything from daycare centres to Dungeons and Dragons. Their goal was to rape and murder, usually children, and as the panic became more mainstream, satanism became a byword for real world evil, easily linked to any number of horrific crimes. There was one slight problem: it was all a lie.
With each manic news cycle out-frenzying the one that came before, Americans have been increasingly starved of both a sense of normality and access to a much-needed voice of reason, a dose of calm rationalism to cut through the endless absurdity.
Regardless of your religious belief system, you’ll be understandably wary of being told that both can be found in surplus in Hail Satan?, an eye-opening new documentary that aims to provide a surprising amount of clear-eyed sense to a topic that appears luridly sensationalist on paper.
From the 70s through to the 90s, the country was gripped by the so-called Satanic Panic, a widely reported phenomenon that crept up in everything from local news reports to Oprah, alleging that devil worshippers had constructed a vast underground network that had infected everything from daycare centres to Dungeons and Dragons. Their goal was to rape and murder, usually children, and as the panic became more mainstream, satanism became a byword for real world evil, easily linked to any number of horrific crimes. There was one slight problem: it was all a lie.
Oh dear. So much pomp and circumstance for a completely mythical figure.
The interesting thing about religions is that they always need an Enemy. Osiris -seth, Buddha -Mara, Ahuramazda..the other guy... Allah -Ahriman. I won't pontificate about Why, but the satan character in the Bible is quite interesting. It comes from God being such a ratbag and stitch -up artist that the Evil that satan does is half the time necessary for God's plans to even work. Thus satan is actually God's Loyal First officer.
So a bit of Pomp and gold braid is possibly in order.
Oh dear. So much pomp and circumstance for a completely mythical figure.
Agreed. There is no such figure, but the principle embodied in the Satan meme is real - adversity to the Holy Spirit of agape love and consideration for others. Of course, that is built into the source of our survival and other instinctual drives generated by the reptilian brain. It is when those selfish drives come into conflict with concern for the well-being of others that the adversarial nature of them becomes problematic for our embryo Spirit.
Satan is a real being, but his power is always constrained by God. He is the adversary, the accuser. Although he accuses us, how can he successfully convict a child of God? He can't! (see Romans 8:33) Jesus will lose none of those He has been given (John 6:39, John 10:28-30). God's purpose in allowing Satan to occasionally attack His children is ultimately for good. It is to strengthen our faith. (See Genesis 50:20)
Satan's destiny is foretold: eternal torment in hell (Revelation 20:10). No, he's not "in charge" of hell at all. His followers are complete and utter fools. Satan knows they're fools to follow him, but Satan is a liar and the father of lies (John 8:44).
Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation. (John 14:6)
Thank you for supporting Mystic's contention; there is no such being. That being so, it became necessary to invent it as a bugaboo, excuse and threat to keep the Sheeple nice and controllable.
Btw Mystic, I'm curious..why Don't you believe in Satan? If you're still speaking to me, that is. In your place I wouldn't be
Satan's destiny is foretold: eternal torment in hell (Revelation 20:10). No, he's not "in charge" of hell at all. His followers are complete and utter fools. Satan knows they're fools to follow him, but Satan is a liar and the father of lies (John 8:44).
That you can believe there would be such a tragic figure for ANY reason boggles the mind. What conceivable reason would such a being have for doing what you claim given what its fate will be in any case? What's the point?
Quote:
Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation. (John 14:6)
At least you have this part correct and we have nothing to do with it.
Well done Mystic I'm reminded of the cartoon of Lucifer recruiting disaffected angels for his rebellion.
"five dollars a day, on active service, free meals, laundry and letters home. Three days leave every fortnight. Good job stoking boilers and racking prisoners after we lose.."
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I'm reminded of the cartoon of Lucifer recruiting disaffected angels for his rebellion.
